Thursday, December 30, 2010

Final Amazing Christmas Give-away!

That's right, the final one. So after this post, I will stop bugging you all with these give-aways! Ha. But this is your last chance to jump in and win one of the amazing prizes offered in the give-away from Soulographer and Work of Heart Photography.

Prizes include:
3 Workshop Workbooks
Personal mentoring session with Skye Hardwick of WoH
Florabella Collection
Kelly Moore Bags
WoH's Posing Guide
Simplicity Designs
Picture Me Props
Easy Accounting Solution
Crave Photography Photoshop Mentoring
Kelly Ridgedell Logo
Mamapatrice
Darn Fanciful Props
Capture the Hearts Designs

Check it all out at: http://www.soulographer.com/final-christmas-giveaway/

Happy winning!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas, the wait is over!

Merry Christmas dear friends and family! 

I cannot believe that this day is already here. 
I had such high aspirations and hopes of what the month of December would be for us as we celebrated the birth of our Savior by creating an atmosphere of awe and amazement and anticipation. 
Instead, I was overwhelmed and stressed with the list of things that needed to be accomplished before this day came and our daily readings often took a back seat to the "to-do" list. 

The wonderful thing is that it only takes a few moments to stir anticipation and excitement into a child. So, I relished those little moments where I could whisper to Emma, "Jesus's birthday is coming!" 

One other continuous challenge, especially now that we have many young children, is reinforcing the belief that this day, this time of year, this blessed moment, is about everything except presents. Presents are the last thing on the list, not the first. 
It is a challenge to remember to pour into our children the truth that we are awaiting Christ, we are anticipating the majesty of His birth, and all that that means for our world and for us, personally. We are not anticipating the next material gift. 
But with children that's a hard goal because almost all they see around them are celebrations of presents, many presents. 

Thankfully, (yes, thankfully!) Mike is without work this Christmas season and our budget is limited so our children will only receive 2 gifts each, instead of the normal 3. And yes, I AM thankful for this. I'm thankful for this because even if children are enraptured by receiving gifts, another wonderful thing about children (especially young children) is that they are fully surprised and joyful with EACH gift they receive, no matter what it is! And this creates the perfect atmosphere to be thankful and joyful for every small thing we receive (for me as well) and to draw us back to the truth that we open these gifts in remembrance of our Christ, our Lord, who gives us the ultimate gift of salvation. 

I set my sights a little high this year but that's ok. Next Christmas we'll try again with our Jesse tree and celebrating Advent and maybe we'll get a little further in that journey. 
But I do so choose to praise God for the little moments He gave us this Christmas. 
One such moment was last night as we read from Luke 2 and I watched and listened to Emma as her eyes widened and she gasped as I read, 

"Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 

       14 “ Glory to God in the highest, 
      And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Beautiful in the eyes of a child. 

Remember that this day is a day where years upon years of waiting and prophecy were fulfilled. The Messiah that so many had been anxiously awaiting was finally here! He had come. He had come in full humility and He was ready to give His life to save ours. 

"We are not simply to believe, but to watch; not simply to love, but to watch; not simply to obey, but to watch; to watch for what?  For the great event, Christ's coming...



With much love, Emma, Diana, Clara, George, Wyatt, and Mike! 

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Amazing Give-away #3!

If you're a photographer you NEED to check this out! Work of Heart Photography and Skye Hardwick are the creators of soulographer and the Workshop Workbook and it's all amazing!

And she's put together a fabulous bunch of vendors that are giving amazing products or service away!
They include:

Angel Baby Treats
Silver Salt Designs
Shaun Paul Productions
Chic Pretties
Tonee Lawerence Photography (actions)
J. Melcena Scarves
Zozobugbaby
The Posing Guide from Work of Heart
Pure Photoshop Actions
The Organic Bloom
Deluxe Modern
The Workshop Workbook

http://www.soulographer.com/the-christmas-giveaway-3/

Amazing, amazing, amazing!

Monday, December 06, 2010

Photographer Friends!

Hear ye, hear ye - an amazing giveaway from the wonderful Skye Hardwick of Work of Heart Photography! And many of her friends and vendors!

If you have never heard of her Workshop Workbook, you need to. It's ah-maze-ing. You want it. You need it. Seriously!
If you want to pursue children's portraiture work every - you need it!

Check out her give-away here: http://www.soulographer.com/the-christmas-giveaway/

Don't miss your chance!